Greetings to all!! I was just wondering if one (or more) of you could tell me if it is true that an ex-con cannot leave the country? What I mean is travelling for a family vacation to another country...European, canadian, australian, etc. I am told those previously convicted can not travel. Does anyone know if this is reality, myth, hearsay, fact/fiction??? Thanks be to thee who can helpeth me!! :haha:

The only issue I had when trying to obtain a passport to travel to Germany was the fact that during my time in, my child support got good and behind. I had to get that caught up before they'd issue my passport. I haven't actually travelled yet, but I did get my passport, so I assume that's a good sign.

As long as they get permission from their parole officer.

I think it depends on the country you are traveling to. On the I-94 USA Visa Waiver form (for visa waiver countries such as UK, Australia etc) one of the questions you must answer before being allowed to enter the USA asks about your criminal record (just a yes/no question) and I am sure other countries would have the same requirement. You should probably check it out on the consular website of the country you are intending to travel to.

Excuse my late reply...

Yes...many countries will barr you. Check them out first. I know here in the islands many tourists are turned away for records. Many EU countries will too. The US itself barrs people for merely being arrested, not even convicted. I would really advise you to check, lest you end up in some foriegn prison awaiting deportation.

I was released from Prision in 2000, finished supervised release in 2003, and was given my passport back at that time. I also finished an offender program, staying involved even after I was not required to do so. I have to register as an offender for about 6 more years. I've also applied for restoration of my civil rights, but have not received them yet (vote, etc.). We are set to travel to France, Italy and Switzerland in three weeks. Am I going to have a problem with my passport in any of these three countries??????? Please help!!!!

I can not answer anyones questions here. I have been to the Philippines 3 times with no porblems. I will be taking my old passport with the PI stamps in it.,but with this Homeland Security thingie, I don't know and I will be winging it this Thursday as I leave for the PI again.

Canada does NOT allow any convicted felons to enter. You need to write to their national government before even being considered a possible visitor.

Sorry, but this is the only information I know about.

Take care and good luck.

Sheila

Switzerland is no problem! Well, at least it wasn't 2 years ago so I hope they didn't change it!

You can not get your passport while on parole...can you get it when your finished with everything...I would hope so...but not sure... I know you never can vote again....Asked The parole office or the judge. good luck....and if you get that passport have a great time.....minnie:cool:

There is a court proccess to get most if not all your rights back after parole/probation. Talk to a lawer about how to go about it. Part of my info is to old (1960's) in getting verdic set aside. But in 1999 I got the certiicate of rehabilitation which restored most of my rights, including voting.



You can not get your passport while on parole...can you get it when your finished with everything...I would hope so...but not sure... I know you never can vote again....Asked The parole office or the judge. good luck....and if you get that passport have a great time.....minnie:cool:

In Maine, felons are allowed to vote. I believe there is only 1 other state that allows this right.

Take care,

Sheila

Many states allow ex-felons to vote, though they vary in the restrictions they place. Texas, for example, restores voting rights after your sentence and parole/probation are done. In Virginia, where I now live, one must petition the governor for restoration of voting rights. I had hoped it was no big deal, but my lawyer tells me that it is.
As for passports and leaving the country, I had been looking into that.
From what I was able to find out, the US government will make sure the visited country knows your record. I also saw indications that you can be turned back from entry on attempt, but I don't know if that actually happens.
It appears that many (but not all) places will let you get a tourist visa. I checked up on living in Costa Rica. I was told a tourist visa was no problem, but that permanent residency would normally be not granted, except in unusual circumstances. I, myself, am interested (long-term) in travel to France, Spain, and Italy, among others. Any information is muchly appreciated.